..... All of this because two people fell in love!

Pages

Scrapbook pages

I enjoy making blogs and also I love doing digital scrapbooking. I decided to combine these hobbies and make a family blog and insert custom scrapbook pages for you to enjoy in this way as often as you like.

Instead of putting the photos in a book this year, I am designing 8.5x11 scrapbook pages. Just click on them and you can either view them on a larger scale, or you can print them out for yourself on Photo paper from home on your own printer. You can also save them to your computer and then transfer them to a disc and take the disc down to Walmart, or Costco and have them print these pages for you. ( It might be cheaper as printing from home in color is a bit expensive for the ink cartriges) I am doing it this size so that you can go down and buy a loosleaf and some clear plastic sheet protectors and store your scrapbook pages that way. Then you will have your own memory book complete with photos from our reunion 2008. Hopefully if there is another reunion to come, we can add more pages in the future.

I hope you enjoy these pages and make sure to share them with your parents, whom might not be as up to date in their computer skills as you are.

This project may take me weeks to finnish, so keep coming back to see what else has been added to the blog.

I am going to continue what Doris started with adding recipes that are Smith Family Favorites. If you have a Smith favorite recipe, just email it to me and I will add it to the blog. Please write it up as a word document and attach it to the email.

If you have any suggestions on other Smith Family items of interest that you would like to see in this blog, please once again email me with your ideas, photos, family updates, etc. I was thinking that a link to the Smith family genealogy might be nice as well as adding links to any family blog pages or websites as well. This way we can keep up on each others comings and goings.

Also, please help me remember who everyone is on the scrapbook pages. If you can identify members of a photo on a specific page, email me and I will update the page. You can also click on "Comments" below each photo and let me know who the people are in the photos or just comment on that particular page. Comments can only be made in reference to the posts on the columns to the right of the page. Please comment as I would like to know how many of our family are enjoying and visiting this blog.

Smith Family Website

I was just notified that there is actually a Smith Family website that was set up last year. I wish I knew about it before, but since I do, I am guessing you didn't know about it either. If you go click on http://www.myfamily.com/signup/respond.aspx?invid=QcmJHLkcDZEIpbDA0PCQ6wit should take you there. Try it and then get thinking about what you can add to the site. I would love to see lots of vintage family photos. Does someone have old family movies that they could put on the website??? They could really bring back some great memories!

Do you have a family blog you'd like to share?

Add your favorite Smith Family Recipe

Aunt Doris started us off with some recipes she provided in the Smith Family Genealogy book at the 2008 Family Reunion. It is your turn to add some more. Email me your favorite Smith Family recipes and I will add them to this blog.

Smith Family Memories

Put on your thinking caps and remember back to the "Good Old Days" and email me your fun Smith Family memories. I will add them to the blog. This is a good way to remember and preserve family history.

Kathleen S. Gauger memory.. I remember Christmas' long ago of going to Grandma and Grandpa Smith's house and sitting on Grandpa's knee and him giving us each a five dollar for Christmas.

I remember in the old Smith home, the huge staircase that led up to a large attic type upstairs area, where our family lived for a few months after selling our home on 183 S. 3rd E. in A.F. waiting for our new home to be built on 325 N . 850 East in A.F.

I remember the Smith Family reunions down on the old Smith Farm in American Fork and I remember games of burrying coins in the sand and all the grandchildren digging for these coins that we get to could keep.

Blog Archive

Something you need to know about this blog....

This blog archives posts, and pictures every month, so be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the page where it says "Older Posts" and click. You will keep seeing on each page after that"Older posts" until you reach the final older posts. There are great pictures, scrapbook pages, and things you will want to see, so don't think everything on this blog is on the first page.

You can also go to the "Blog Archives" section on the left column to and just click on the past year or months archives you want to view!

If you have a post about your family member please email me at ktgauger@gmail.com and I will make sure your post gets put on this family blog.

Friday, June 8, 2012

(I have a video that I am trying to get in this blog post and will soon as I can unlock the video)

I went to my sister Emily's house today and she pulled out some CD's and DVD's and found this one that I had made shortly after our Dad, Max James Smith Died. The photos you will see are in chronological order of the events that occurred prior to his death. This is how things proceeded.

Dad had been going to Dialysis for his kidneys had failed. He was so ill, that he had to be taken care of at Heritage Convalescent Center in American Fork. There was a van that picked him up there, and took him to dialysis in Provo, Utah. Mother stood vigil, during the hours of dialysis, and made sandwiches and brought food and drink for him to keep up his strength while laying there. After it was done, Dad was brought home by the same van to the Convalescent center.

Dad had been having strokes during dialysis, and needed physical therapy as well. One day, after having another stroke during dialysis, the doctor told him that he needed to make a decision. He was having strokes every time he went to dialysis, so one time he could be left paralyzed, or worse from the strokes as they would further complicate his ill health. He needed to have dialysis in order to live because his kkidneys had shut down. He had to make a decision on how he would live or die. Dad decided to go off of dialysis, in which the doctors gave him only a couple weeks to live. This was his decision and frankly I believe that it took great courage to make that kind of decision. Dialysis stopped, and our whole family began to live each day to the fullest.

Realizing that Thanksgiving was Dad's favorite holiday, we knew that he would not make it to celebrate Thanksgiving, so our whole family kicked into gear, and speedily planned a Thanksgiving feast of all time. We did this in 2 days. Dennis and I prepared our home for guests... the entire Smith family which consisted of all of Dad's children, Grand Children. We divided up the food assignments, and set up tables, and prepared the house for the Celebration of thanksgiving early that year.

On Sunday everyone came, and we had the greatest time we ever. Everyone was determined to be happy and celebrate Dad's life. This would be the best Thanksgiving we had ever had, because we were celebrating what would be the last days of our fathers life. All the Thanksgiving favorites were spread out on the bar and we began to dish up the first plate for Dad. Dad said, "Forget all the rest of that stuff... just bring me a big fat turkey leg. So we did. Becky sat vigil while he ate, making sure he didn't choke and wiping off his chin. All of us took turns sitting by dad, and visited with him while he enjoyed that turkey leg. He said, "I believe this is the best turkey leg I have ever eaten".

Lots of tears were shed, but through them we all savored the day. We gathered after dinner, and had a program. Becky brought her Thanksgiving book and read it to the Children. Harold told the story of the First Thanksgiving and Old Gentleman Gray. Katie had made up Thanksgiving jokes to tell throughout the program that kept everyone laughing and having a great time. From time to time, I caught a glimpse of Dad, with tears welling up in his eyes, looking around his posterity. We knew what he was thinking, and we all felt the very same way.

Well Dad survived much longer than the doctors had predicted, so thanksgiving came once again and we celebrated twice that year. Dad didn't eat much the second time, and was very much in a weakened condition. He didn't complain, but tried to smile.

Over at the convalescent center, our family continued to celebrate his last days with him. Dad was able to have all of those things that he had missed, with his diabetes and kidney failure. He had pizza which he loved, and wanted it more than just once. Our family had FHE at the Convalescent center where Sara and Joe Danced, and so did Natalie and Jenny. The music to Dad's favorite song was played,

The twelfth of Never, and Dad sang the words. We had such a wonderful time for as long as he could.

Finally Dad fell into a coma, and it wasn't long before he passed away. Our family had gathered around him as we had been told that his time was very short. Some of the family had left to go get lunch , but others had stayed. Those who were there, were told to gather around him by the hospice worker as Dad was showing signs that he would pass very soon. He was still in a coma. Those who were there gathered around, and all of the sudden, Dad awoke from his coma, with a start. His eyes were wide open and he was looking right at Mom. He tried to speak but could not. I told mother to tell him all the things he needed to hear, and she smiled, held his hand and told him how she loved him and that she gave him permission to leave her. She told him that her family would take care of her, and that it was his time to go be with Heavenly Father. She hugged and kissed him. Of course we were all crying. It was only seconds after that that he gasped and instantly we witnessed the light going out of his eyes. We all knew that he was gone.

This may sound silly, but I have heard stories of people who had passed, lingering above their body and witnessing the view below, so I turned and looked up and told Dad I loved him and good by.

This is how things transpired. Now you know what this video is about... the year we celebrated Thanksgiving Twice.

Mike Smith's Funeral Program page

Jodi, sister to Mike sent this funeral program and these words..."Mike was a wonderful boy. He was 6'6" tall when he died and was all heart. I gave the Eulogy at his funeral. I think I'll send you a copy of the Eulogy to post. It might help family members who didn't know him get to know him a little bit better. Mike was 19 years young when he died in 1984. He was killed in a motor vehicle crash when he fell asleep at the wheel while driving to Arizona to attend school. He is buried in the AF cemetary next to Grandpa and Grandma Smith."

Look what I found on the internet about Della Doyle Smith...

Sharing our Links to the Pastby Wally and Frances Gray

Della Doyle (Mrs. Adelbert Smith) (1908-1965)The Theodore Turley Family Book, p. 487Della was born February 29, 1908 in Lehi, Utah. She married Adelbert Smith and they made their home in American Fork, Utah. Della was actively engaged in church and civic affairs. She possessed the talent of kindness and compassion and has been long remembered by her cousins for her loving care of her Aunt Jane Sabey Gray until her death. Della and her husband had two children:Max James Smith married Connie Robinson on January 12, 1953 in the Salt Lake Temple. He is an Elder, Sunday School teacher, home teacher, leader of a new fellowshipping missionary program; worked for twenty years for the Meadow Gold Dairy in Orem. Connie is active in Church as music director of Primary in the Stake; she teaches violin lessons. They have seven children: Rebecca, Harold, Kathleen, Robyn, Daniel, David and Sara. These lovely children love music and are talented with several instruments.Ronald Glenn Smith, born December 9, 1929; married Lou Jeanne Smith on May 2, 1952. Ronald is first counselor in the bishopric of the American Fork 9th Ward. Lou Jeanne is first counselor in the American Fork Relief Society Presidency. They have six children: Jan Lee Smith McKinney (married John Leslie McKinney), Jill Lynn, Ryan Bowe, Jeri Lyne, JaeLeen, Jennie Lou.Ronald and Lou Jeanne’s children have also excelled in music and have achieved academic and many social honors.

Back to Ann Lewis's Table of ContentsClara Roxanna Sabey (Mrs. James William Doyle) (1888-1942) The Theodore Turley Family Book, pp. 486-487Clara was born Oct. 16, 1888 in Lehi, Utah. She married James William Doyle on May 7, 1907 in American Fork. James is the son of James A. and Adeline Anderson Doyle.Clara Doyle, through circumstances, was required to raise and support her young family without assistance. She accomplished this rather difficult task by working as a practical nurse, seamstress, and domestic. Later she became a dormitory supervisor and counselor for young men at the Utah State Training School in American Fork, Utah, She was instrumental in establishing the school lunch program for Alpine School District, Utah. Clara acted as a judge at voting polls for many years. She was secretary of MIA, president of MIA, and secretary of Lehi Service Star Legion. She was much sought after and appreciated for her reading and recitation talent. James William Doyle was a miner, construction worker on the American Fork Canyon Power Plant, and later, a supervisor for Shell Oil Company. He possessed and utilized many musical talents.[Death date from IGI]

Children of Clara Sabey and James Doyle:Della Doyle Smith, born Febr. 29, 1908John William Doyle, born Oct. 26, 1910; married Martha StreetJames Frances Doyle, born March 21, 1912Albert Smith Doyle, born Feb.5, 1914, died youngMaxine Vivian Doyle West, born Sept. 4, 1915Sherman Sabey Doyle, born April 4, 1919

Max James Smith Obituary

I was doing alittle research and found a link to my father's obituary that was in the New Utah Paper.

2. New Utah Newspaperwww.newutah.com/14944.htm - [Cached] Published on: 12/5/2001 Last Visited: 12/5/2001Max J. Smith Max James Smith, 70, passed away December 1, 2001. He was born July 13, 1931 to Adelbert and Della Doyle Smith. He married Connie Moselle Robinson January 12, 1953 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated from American Fork High School where he enjoyed playing basketball. He was selected for the All-State Basketball team main five players from all the high schools in Utah in 1949. He later attended Carbon College where he was selected for the All Conference League in basketball. In addition to basketball, he is an avid fisherman. He also attended Brigham Young University. Max served in the United States Marine Corps for three years. During this time he served for 13 months in Korea during the Korean War. He was employed by Meadow Gold Dairies, a custodian for the LDS Church, and a delivery man for the Lehi Roller Mills. Max was a very active member of the LDS Church, and was very disciplined in Book of Mormon study. He was always very eager to share his knowledge of the scriptures with family and others. He served in many church callings, teaching Primary, Sunday School and being involved for many years in the Church Athletic Program. He was always eager to teach young boys how to play basketball. He also served in the Presidency of the Sunday School at the Utah State Developmental Center, where he showed love and concern for the children there. Among all of these accomplishments, Max considered his eight children to be his greatest. He is survived by his wife, Connie Moselle Robinson Smith and eight children: Rebecca Smith (Thomas) Adams, Deerfield, Illinois; Harold Max (Hayli) Smith, American Fork; Kathleen Smith (Dennis) Gauger, Alpine; Robyn Smith (Karl) Healey, Orangeville, Utah; Daniel Robinson (Jennifer) Smith, Highland; David Robinson (Kami) Smith, Riverton, Utah; Sara Smith (Joseph) Swallow, Riverside, California; Emily Smith, American Fork; Three brothers: Doyle (Reva) Smith, American Fork; Ronald (Lou Jeanne) Smith, American Fork; Ralph (Gladys) Smith, Las Vegas, Nevada; one sister, Doris (Loran) Cook, Orem, Utah; and 25 grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Wednesday December 5, 2001 at 11:00 a.m. in the American Fork East Stake Center 825 East 500 North. Friends may call from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in the American Fork City Cemetery.